Chapter 39
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Gideon
He lost the election, and nothing had ever tasted sweeter than watching his concession speech. We’d popped popcorn, poured champagne, and Rita had even started dancing to some music. It was a huge relief knowing he’d lost.
Solange had texted me a simple, Thank you, as soon as it was official. She was well aware that I’d had something to do with Monica speaking up and Benito losing.
His margin of loss wasn’t as huge as I’d wanted, seeing as people had already mailed in their ballots before Monica’s video, but I doubted anyone who’d gone out to the polls had voted for him at all.
Not only had he lost, but listening to people on the news—voters, anchors, even some of his “former” friends—proved his reputation was shit. It was a glorious victory.
Once things calmed down, I’d pay Benito a visit and when I walked away, he’d never bother another soul ever again. He’d also never breathe again, but that was just semantics.
A few days after the election, it was wedding crunch time. Mila and Alex had us all finalizing things. Without the worry of Benito Calvern at my back, it made it easier to relax. It was a few weeks of bliss.
Thanksgiving was a huge affair. Penn wanted to have a sort of Jack and Jill party for Alex and Mila instead of doing a bachelor and bachelorette party, which they both said they didn’t want.
Let’s just say it was a good thing the entire first floor of the house was open concept.
We had banquet tables set up to form a gigantic square.
There was no way anyone wanted to cook, so I had it catered.
Mila’s family was here, Penn, the twins, all my security, Dean, Rita, and Matteo.
My parents would be here for the wedding and seeing as they were up in years, traveling was harder for them.
They were having a friendsgiving this year at their home in Antigua.
The only family Alex had was very distant, and he’d see them at his wedding. Me, my kids, his job were his family and now Mila. I was so happy he finally had that. I rose and tapped my fork against my glass.
“A toast.”
Everyone cheered because they were obnoxious like that.
“First I want to thank you all for coming and sharing this holiday with us. It feels like we all have so much to be thankful for this year. For Alex and Mila, the next time we toast you both it will be as husband and wife, and I can’t think of anything I look forward to more.
You’re all family to me. I hope you know that. ” I raised my glass. “To family.”
There were cheers, the sound of glasses tinkling together, and so much laughter. It was truly perfect.
The rest of the night I sat back, Penn beside me, and watched all the happy faces. Mila’s parents danced, Rita and Dean were singing with the music loud enough that everyone noted how off-key they were.
I glanced over toward Mila’s brothers, Lev, Mikhail, and Ivan. They were off to the side talking to each other, heads close. When Ivan saw me looking, he lifted his hand to wave.
“You good?” Penn asked.
“Yeah, just…Mila’s brothers are acting weird.”
He looked at them quickly, then returned his attention to me.
“Honestly, they’re likely planning to prank their sister or something to do with the car after their wedding.
” He squeezed my leg. “You’re still on edge because of Benito.
I wouldn’t worry. Besides, they work together, right? Maybe it’s work stuff.”
I sighed and nodded. “You’re probably right.
” I didn’t take my eyes off them until they finally left.
It was a strange feeling, but something wasn’t sitting right with me.
They were disconnected from the party, all three at times appeared upset, and every time we made eye contact, they put on a bad act of pretending they were fine.
I’d talk to Alex about it tomorrow; he might know what was going on.
Everyone started leaving at around eight that evening. Mila hugged me before she and Alex left.
“Thank you for such a wonderful Thanksgiving and the party. This is exactly what I wanted.”
“You were more than welcome to invite your bridal party.”
She smiled. “I know. They have their own families and to be honest, this was perfect. I have a tea thing with them in a few days; it’ll be great.”
“Good, and you’re welcome.”
The twins were passed out by the time I got to their rooms to tuck them in and when I got to my bedroom Penn was standing in front of the large mirror doing his nightly checks.
“Yep, always going to be my favorite part of the night.”
He chuckled. “I bet.” He turned. “Monica texted and said they had a nice evening. First Thanksgiving in a while where it was peaceful.”
“I’m glad.” I inched closer to him. “I’ve heard a lot of Benito’s so-called friends aren’t supporting him during the loss of his election and disintegration of his marriage.”
He slipped his finger into the loop of my pants and yanked me closer. “You’re going to wait until he has nothing and then end him, aren’t you?”
I grinned. “Something like that.”
“Vicious,” he whispered before smashing his lips to mine.
My hand slid down his back, stopping on his ass, and squeezing his muscular cheek. He hummed as his tongue licked inside my mouth, his hard cock grinding against my own.
“Fuck,” he breathed when I fisted his shaft.
Without taking my hands or mouth off him, I guided us over to the bed. His knees hit the mattress, and he dropped.
“You’re way overdressed.” He bit his lip as he undid my belt, unzipped my pants, and popped my buttons. In one move, he pushed my pants and boxers to my ankles. My cock sprung up and before it even had time to feel the air on its wet tip, Penn swallowed me whole.
I hissed and cupped his head, thrusting into his wet mouth. I fucked his face with everything I had, knowing how much he loved it.
“Shit!” I shouted, coming in his mouth. I pulled away and noticed he’d jacked himself off and was glistening with sweat and come. “Let’s shower.”
We washed, fucked, and then washed again.
Once we were dried, we slipped under the covers, my arms wrapped tightly around Penn.
Sleep found me quickly, but my dreams were filled with dread.
I woke to a horrible feeling like there was something I’d missed…
like something was coming that I couldn’t stop.